General

Question 1

How did psychologists find out that the 2 brain hemispheres communicate with each other?

Answer 1

This was found out through a surgery in which the corpus callosum was cut. This showed that the patients have lost certain abilities after this surgery was done, since the corpus callosum is needed for the 2 hemispheres to send information from one to the other.

Question 2

What is the Corpus Callosum? What is its use?

Answer 2

The Corpus Callosum is a “bridge” which connects the left with the right hemisphere, therefore it allows communication to pass from one to the other.

Question 3

What happens if the general area of the cortex is damaged?

Answer 3

• The brain wouldn’t be allowed to repair damaged neurons, although some functions can be restored.
• New connections may develop and reassign existing networks.

Question 4

What 3 principles are there in the Brain Organisation?

Answer 4

• Interconnection ~ modules in the brain are connected.
• Hierarchy ~ Processing takes play at various levels.
• Functional Differentiation ~ Certain area are responsible for different functions.

Question 5

Name and describe the 3 ways of studying the brain.

Answer 5

• Event-related potentials (ERP) ~ Stimulus is presented while the person’s brain activity is being recorded. Usually done for timing of cognitive processing.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) ~ Positrons are used to study one’s episodic memory.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI and fMRI) ~ The structure of the brain is being recorded using radio waves.
  (fMRI is used to understand which brain regions are being activated).

Question 6

How did the “Biological Approach” benefit studies?

Answer 6

• It lead us to understand how different part of the brain has their own purposes and functions, and also describing the structure of the brain.
• Led us to be able to study families and how genetics could affect someone’s appearance and personality.
• This has led to the development of evolutionary psychology.

Question 7

What has “Evolutionary Psychology” shown us?

Answer 7

• How the human brain has changed from what it was a long time ago. (Became larger, more efficient and developed the ability to think and reason).
• Shows us how some inherited characteristics of humans are important to the human’s survival.

Question 8

Name and describe the 3 covariations.

Answer 8

• Active covariation ~ Children of different genetic abilities look for situations to reinforce their genetic differences.
• Passive Covariation ~ Parents of high genetic ability provide a more stimulating environment.
• Reactive Covariation ~ High genetic individual are treated better than low genetic individuals.